HISTORY of NABA & Detroit Chapter

History/MissionNine African American accountants in the New York area founded the National Association of Black Accountants, Inc. (NABA) in December 1969. Their goal was to establish a national organization that dealt forthrightly and effectively with the many common problems faced by the growing number of African American accounting professionals. Since the founding of NABA, the membership has grown to approximately 5,000 members in over 140 active professional and student chapters in major urban areas and at universities across the nation. NABA’s primary purpose is to encourage greater participation by African Americans and other minorities in the accounting profession.

NABA, Inc. - Detroit Chapter Detroit Chapter EstablishmentThe Detroit Association of Professional Accountants was formed in 1969. The group recognized the need for a professional organization of minority accountants to address the problems encountered by those individuals seeking careers in public accounting, government and private industry. Currently, the Detroit Chapter has over 100 members. On June 19, 1972, the Detroit Association of Professional Accountants applied for membership in NABA. The Detroit Chapter received its charter shortly thereafter. The two co-founders of NABA are John L. Davis, CPA, currently the Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration for Wayne State University and Dennis O. Green, CPA, Chief Auditor for Citicorp & Citibank, NA. In keeping with the Association’s Charter, we provide the following services:

Job placement services

Assist accounting and finance students in developing their professional skills

Volunteer income tax assistance for the needy

Provide opportunities for members to fulfill their civic responsibilities

Act as a liaison with leaders in the Metro Detroit community on matters of interest of the Detroit Chapter

Keep members abreast of recent technical pronouncements in the field of accounting

Today, NABA, Inc. - Detroit Chapter is one of the largest professional minority business organizations in the state of Michigan. Our primary goal is to encourage and increase the percentage of minorities to pursue academic studies and professional careers in accounting and finance. We are part of the Central Region Chapter of the NABA. The Central Region contains 14 chapters and Detroit is one of the largest chapters in the region, second to Chicago.

We currently have over 50 professional members. Our membership profile consists of CPA’s, CISA’s, attorneys, financial advisors and many other non-CPA professionals in public and private industries, including healthcare, automotive, Big 4 and local accounting firms. There are presently over five student chapters located at colleges and universities across Michigan.

What does the Detroit Chapter offer?We offer a variety of educational and professional development programs for our student and professional members in the accounting and finance professions. From hosting CPE technical sessions and accounting awareness seminars to providing national and local scholarships to students, we team up with our corporate partners to provide our members with opportunities to develop and maintain rewarding careers in accounting and finance.

NABA Detroit Chapter Programs

How do I join the Detroit Chapter?Interested in joining one of the greatest business organizations in the country? It’s simple! You can join the Detroit Chapter of NABA by visiting the National Office Website at www.nabainc.org. You can complete the online application or print and mail in your application. Just list "Detroit" as your "Chapter Affiliation" on your membership application.

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